Botanical Index No. 135

Blessed Thistle

cnicus benedictus

Medicinal Actions

Allergenic, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antidiarrheic, Antiedemic, Antihemorrhagic, Antigonadotropic, Antiinflammatory, Antileukemic, Antipyretic, Antiseptic, Antitumor, Astringent, Carminative, Cholagogue, Choleretic, Contraceptive, Cytotoxic, Depurative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emetic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Fibrinolytic, Gastrogogue, Lactagogue, Sialagogue, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic, Uterosedative, Colic

Primary Conditions Treated

Aperitif Bitter Hemostat Swelling Vermifuge Amenorrhea Anemia Anorexia Arthrosis Asthma Atony Bacteria Bleeding Bronchosis Bursitis Cancer abdomen breast colon intestine spleen stomach Catarrh Chilblain Cold Cholecystosis Diabetes Diarrhea Dyslactea Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Edema Enterosis Escherichia Fever Gangrene Gas Gastrosis Gout Heartburn Hemorrhoid Hepatosis Hypochondria Hysteria Infection Inflammation Leukemia Neurasthenia Pain Plague Rheumatism Sclerosis Scrofula Sore Splenosis Staphylococcus Tuberculosis Tumor Water Retention Worm Wound

General Dosage

4000–6000 mg/day; 1.5–2 tsp chopped leaf/cup water, before meals; 1.5–3.0 g dried flowering shoots, or in tea, 3 ×/day; 10–20 drops extract in water; 1.5–3 ml liquid herbal extract 3 ×/day; 4–6 g herb/day; 1.5 g herb/cup water; 2–4 tbsp fresh herb; 3–6 g dry herb; 4.5 g dry herb:22 ml alcohol/23 ml water; 2–4 ml liquid herb extract; 2 capsules 3 ×/day.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2b. Commission E reports contraindications: hypersensitivity to the plant and other Asteraceae; adverse effects of allergic reactions. High doses may irritate the stomach and cause vomiting. Safety not established. Excessive use during pregnancy and lactation should be avoided. In view of emmenagogue citations, use in pregnancy discouraged. Avoid this herb completely during pregnancy. “In view of the lack of toxicity data, excessive use of holy thistle should be avoided”. Also known as St. Benedict’s thistle, used in Benedictine. A strong emetic; vomiting can occur in overdoses. Stimulates gastric activity, avoid if you have an ulcer. Use only with medical supervision.

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